It has not been a very good time of late for everyone. Yes the
pandemic is behind us and everyone is now living almost with the freedom of the
days before Covid 19. But the after effects of the pandemic are now being felt.
The war in Ukraine has not helped matters. All this has resulted in an increase
in the price of fuel. This would have an effect on various aspects of life. The
price of fuel would have a cascading effect on the cost of living and more
worryingly it would have an effect on the hospitality industry, especially the
restaurateurs if people cut down on dining outside.
Timothy Lobo, a restaurateur based in Porvorim said it was a
very tough situation coming out of the lockdown. He said, “First of all people
are not ordering or eating out as much. Now this increase in the price of fuel
will affect us even more. Restaurants and prospective clients may not be able
to stomach these increases I feel. Perhaps this may result in pushing some
restaurateurs closer to the decision to exit the business. The situation in the
market is really tight and no one is really happy with the situation.”
Saurav Parashar, another restaurateur, felt there would be an
effect. He said, “Transportation costs will increase and yes the costs of
vegetables will increase further. We cannot keep passing them on to the
customer. It is a tricky situation. It will pinch the pocket without a doubt.
People who are dining with us regularly might reduce. We will wait and see how
it all works out in the next three months. We will have to live with it.”
For the consumer it was not something they were happy with.
Conal Lobo, a resident of Porvorim, said the price hike was regrettable and
would make life tough for families. He said, “I usually go out at least once a
week to have dinner with friends at some very decent restaurants. The bills are
shared but it is still slightly on the higher side. I can manage it because I
have a business and am a bachelor. But it gets tough on my friends who are
married. I cannot force them to come out with me. This price hike will
definitely reduce the number of nights out at restaurants. It may force us to
eat at home even more”.
Nupura Hautamaki felt the increase in fuel prices would make
people think twice before visiting a local restaurant. She said “Even
travelling daily with your own vehicle will add extra costs. Looking at it from
a different perspective, there are cancer patients who have to visit the
hospital for radiation therapy every day. Those who don’t own a vehicle of
their own have to travel by a taxi which is an added cost to their treatment
cost. And those who can’t afford paying for a taxi will have to travel by
public transport”.
Agnes Pinto, a young student and working professional, said
“This increase in the price of fuel will not only affect the cost of essential
commodities, it will also hit overall family spending. I will just stop going
out with my friends to restaurants to eat.”
Former hotelier Ryan Rodrigues gave another perspective. He said
“The Goans live a very social lifestyle and going out to socialize is an
important aspect of our way of life. Restaurants do not change their menu
pricing everyday or weekly, so the cost of dining out will not hit the pocket
at least momentarily. Most restaurants today follow a uniform style of pricing
where they have already accounted escalation costs”.
Well
the situation is something no one is really happy about but then that is the
reality on the ground. Everyone will have to find a way to maintain a balance
in their lifestyle.
